Camping isn’t for everybody. First off, there’s so much gear you need to bring. There are the basics: tent, sleeping bag, camp chairs, lantern, etc. But if you’re the type that would rather stay at a Four Seasons than in a four-person tent, here are some extra items that can make your camping experience a bit more comfortable and have you camping like a pro:
Ten things to bring:
- Small broom & dust pan: These come in handy to sweep the floor of your tent before laying down your sleeping bag and to sweep up any dirt before you take down the tent, roll it up and store it for X number of months/years until your next camping trip.
- Fine wine: A good bottle of wine makes anything enjoyable. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to sip your wine from a paper cup. These portable wine glasses are great because they pack small and are unbreakable. You can also use them for picnics in the park.
- Ziploc bags: Save leftover food or miscellaneous items like matches or twisty ties that you don’t know where else to put.
- Doormat: Wipe your feet before you enter the tent so you don’t track in more dirt that you’ll have to sweep up.
- Tablecloth: Make your camp table sweet & homey (and cover up any messes from previous campers).
- Headlamp: It may seem dorky but it’s liberating to see and do things at night using both your hands without occupying one hand to hold a flashlight. It’s worth any ridicule from your non-camper friends.
- Thin plastic chopping board: Provides a lightweight surface for slicing meat & veggies for the grill, and an easy to clean prep space for making sandwiches & s’mores.
- Brown paper bags: When picking up groceries on your way to camp, ask for paper instead of plastic. These are great to use as kindle to start the campfire and to hold recyclables to drop off at the end of your trip.
- French press: Just because you’re roughing it without electricity, there’s no reason to sacrifice life’s necessities. Like fine wine, a good cup of coffee makes everything right.
- Baby wipes: Chances are you already have these on hand. Not just for babies, you can use these to wipe hands & faces when the nearest water spout is a short hike away.
*Carry these extra items in a storage bin, which can also be used as a sink to wash dishes.
Part of the camping experience is thinking of items that would make camping better. I’m already making a shopping list of things to bring on my next camping trip.
For more camp stories, read about our RV adventure here
-Catherine Lo
poche de maman 